Pakistan, New ICC world Twenty20 2009 Champions

Shahid Afridi"s unbeaten 54 and Abul Razzaq"s great come back for 3/20 made Pakistan champions of ICC world Twenty20 2009. Also the failure of Sri Lanka"s top order at the important moment has also played a huge role in their loss of the game.

pakistan_icc_t20_championIt all started with Sri Lanka who won the toss and selected to bat first. Everybody was surprised that though previous game on the same pitch was low scoring, Sri Lanka choose to bat first. Surprisingly top order of the Sri Lankan team failed totally in the most important game and Sri Lanka at one stage was 6/70 . Sangakkara played an important captain innings and made 64 not out from 52 balls and put some reasonable score on board for Pakistan to chase. Abdul Razzaq who was selected at last momnet for the game made really a nice come back and took 3 important wickets in just 20 runs. Also all other Pakistani bowlers balled really well and put Sri Lanka under pressure through out their innings.

Now for Pakistan target is easily achievable so they did not do any hurry and started well with 48 runs first wicket partnership. After Pakistan lost 2 wickets, Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik made no mistake and easily drove pakistan towards victory. Afridi made unbeaten 54 and Malik hellped him with the other end with unbeaten 24 runs. Pakistan achieved the target of 139 runs in just 18.4 overs and became the Champions of ICC world Twenty20 2009.

At the presentation ceremony Shahid Afridi was choosen as the Player of the match and Dilshan selected as the Player of the series. Pakistan lifted a trophy but then also one shocking news for them as captain Younis Khan took the retirement from T20 cricket!

Overall this years T20 world cup was full of surprises as Australia and India were out of it in very beggining of the series and nobody had thought that Pakistan will lift the trophy. But Pakistan proved to be a dark horse and lifted the trophy with pride to their cricket and nation.

As we all know Pakistan cricket is going through a huge crunch but this win might change the situation of the PCB as well as players to perform well in next trounament and get glory for the Country.

Match Summary

Sri Lanka: 50 runs in 9.3 overs (57 balls), Extras 1

KC Sangakkara: 50 off 44 balls (5 x 4)

Sri Lanka: 100 runs in 16.6 overs (105 balls), Extras 6

7th Wicket: 50 runs in 36 balls (KC Sangakkara 28, AD Mathews 19, Ex 3)

Innings Break: Sri Lanka - 138/6 in 20.0 overs (KC Sangakkara 64, AD Mathews 35)

Pakistan: 50 runs in 7.3 overs (46 balls), Extras 2

Pakistan: 100 runs in 14.4 overs (89 balls), Extras 2

3rd Wicket: 50 runs in 47 balls (Shahid Afridi 32, Shoaib Malik 18, Ex 0)

Shahid Afridi: 50 off 37 balls (2 x 4, 2 x 6)